Tucson Kent's World: January 2010

Tune in to Real Estate RoundTable on BlogTalkRadio for our discussion on Home Inspections & The Homebuyer Tax Credit!  Broadcast time is 12:30 PM Central for your lunchtime pleasure (that's 1:30 pm Eastern, or 11:30 am Mountain & 10:30 am Pacific). 

Join in the discussion & ask questions in our chatroom.  Last week's show had some fireworks as differing opinions on different social media platforms got heated at times...(can't promise a Jerry Springer-like show every week, but we always will have good information for the public and industry insiders alike)!

If you know anyone who has questions about the Homebuyer Tax Credit, or would like more information about Home Inspections - listen & chat with us, or you can download the show afterwards if you can't attend.

Here's the link to the show:  Real Estate RoundTable

As always, your suggestions on topics for future shows having to do with any aspect of real estate are welcome - the whole idea of this show is to provide information that you want to hear.  First time homebuyer, veteran real estate investor, member of the industry - whatever your interest, the RoundTable is about learning from one another.

See you at the RoundTable!

Watch out world!  The Real Estate RoundTable internet radio show is joining the JCKC Network on BlogTalkRadio!

Last Friday, Ryan Shaugnessy and I started our new show, Real Estate RoundTable, on BlogTalkRadio.  Flush with endorphins after finally getting the show started, we were taken to another level of excitement by being asked to join the JCKC Network on BTR after our first effort!

Our first show discussed the question:  "Social Media - Are Consumer Wants & Needs Getting Met?" with guests Frances Flynn Thorsen, Mike O'Neill & Lori Ruff, Jeremy Blanton & Jason Crouch.  There was so much that didn't get a chance to get discussed on air - we decided to continue the topic for this week's show.

The Mission of Real Estate RoundTable is to provide "Straight Talk - No Hype" as we tackle various topics important to buyers, sellers, investors and industry professionals alike.  As part of the JCKC Network, we will strive to equal the quality of the other shows who have paved the way.

Mark your calendars, rearrange your lunch plans - Friday, Jan 22 at 12:30 Central Time we go live again...as part of a growing radio network online!

Part 2:  "Social Media - Are Consumer Wants & Needs Getting Met?"

Call-In Number:  (347) 215-7478  Chat room will be open for your questions & comments!

It is no secret:  I enjoy blogging - but how to blog better, more effectively for my readers and Google Rankings?  Check out these guys...Jason Crouch & Jeremy Blanton.

While many people know them from ActiveRain, they have formed a company, 210 Consulting, to teach what they've learned about social media to anyone interested in taking their blogging to the next level.

On Monday, I attended their first webinar, "How To Chug Google Juice & Get 15 Years of Fame" and not surprisingly, was very glad I did!  What I like about their approach is that they teach in a very user-friendly manner, engaging with the attendees and answering questions without making me feel like a pupil in 3rd grade.

In the future, I hope to attend more of their seminars, perhaps even hiring 210 Consulting for some 1-on-1 coaching.  Often, money spent on paid "training" sessions is little more than finding yourself in the middle of an infomercial that leaves the attendees feeling ripped off while the instructor gives endless "now or never" plugs for spending more money on their "secrets" - not so with Jason or Jeremy.

You get what you came for, the price is right - and you leave with a head full of good info, ready to learn more.

Thanks 210 Consulting - you guys are doing this right.  I wish you much success & look forward to learning many new things from you.

Below is Part 2 of a two-part series that Jeff Belonger has written for consumers concerning transparency in real estate & mortgage practices.  He is an acknowledged authority on the industry and an advocate for consumers & the industry as a whole.

I thank Jeff for allowing this series to be re-blogged so that more consumers can benefit from these tips:

Jeff Belonger is a highly respected authority on mortgage lending in the United States.  He not only is a good source of information on loan programs, but is an advocate for sensible changes within the industry and providing consumer knowledge.

Below is Part 1 of a two-part series he wrote on transparency in the real estate industry at large:

Are you a first time homebuyer?  Are you looking to purchase a new home or existing home in Tucson or elsewhere in Pima County?  The Pima County Bond Program is b-a-a-c-k!  How does a mortgage at 4.55% interest over 30 years sound?

Thought so - check it out:

Pima County Bond Program has money available for first-time homebuyers. Some features of this program are:

• 30 Year Fixed Loan at 4.55% *
  
• First-time buyers only - cannot have owned a property in the last 3 years (this requirement is waived for qualified veterans)
  
• Can be used with FHA, VA or Rural Housing loans
  
• New Homes, Existing Homes, Foreclosures & Short Sales Eligible**
• Maximum income restrictions apply – $69,000 / year for 1-2 person household $79,675 / year for 3+ person household

Combine this with the First Time Homebuyer Tax Credit (up to $8000), and you’ve got some real incentive to get moving towards purchasing your first home!

Now this program can be used for single family homes, townhomes, condos or duplexes (sorry, no triplexes or fourplex properties) – which opens up more options to first time homebuyers than there were before. Yes, you can buy foreclosures with this program, and no, unlike the Your Way Home AZ loan program, you aren’t required to buy a foreclosure.

One thing to keep in mind is that while this program does not provide DPA (downpayment assistance), there are DPA programs available in Tucson and Pima County that can be used with the Pima County Bond Program to help first time homebuyers purchase a new home.

Give me a call and I’ll be glad to put you in touch with one of the local down payment assistance program counselors to help you get started.

*Check with your lender for specific APR figures
**To qualify for the First Time Homebuyer Tax Credit, you must have a fully accepted contract no later than April 30, 2009 and close by June 30, 2009 - short sales may not meet these deadlines

With home prices very low in the Tucson Metro, historically low interest rates & the First Time Homebuyer Tax Credit - this is the "Real Estate Trifecta."  You might not find a better time to buy your first home - call me & lets get to work finding your home!

Ryan Shaughnessy, of PREA Signature Realty in St. Louis, Missouri, and I are launching a new show on BlogTalk Radio:  Real Estate Roundtable!

For the first show, we are proud to have Jason Crouch join us to discuss Social Media: Are Consumer Wants & Needs Being Met This Way?  The show begins at 9 AM Central Time (10 AM Eastern, 8 AM Mountain).  I'll be broadcasting live from Sedona, Arizona this week - beautiful scenery...and host of the Social Media Mastermind Conference this weekend.

Hopefully, we will have one or more of the presenters at this conference join us for the discussion too.

Please join us and feel free to chime in on the discussion and express your thoughts - that's what Talk Radio...and social media is all about!

Future shows will center on real estate & the industry at large - tell us what you'd like to have a discussion about.  After all, it is a RoundTable, isn't it?

Go To Show Site          Listener Call In Phone Number:  (347) 677-1559

The Sabino Canyon area of Tucson is one of the most beautiful corners of the whole Tucson Metro area.  There is the stunning beauty of the Catalina mountains in the northeast part of the foothills, a wide variety of homes and land for sale (even commercial property too).  Perhaps I'm a little biased (of course I am - I live in the Sabino Canyon area!), but living right next to a National Park has its charms.

See what you think:

Whether you are looking for a condo, townhome, single family home or luxury gated estate - all of these can be found in Sabino Canyon...starting around $175,000.  Give me a call - we'll explore & find one with your name on it!

This Thursday - Saturday  Sedona, Arizona will host the first Social Media Mastermind Live! Conference at the Hilton Sedona Resort & Spa.  I'm looking forward to the chance to enjoy the stunning beauty of the Sedona/Oak Creek area (yes, I'll take beaucoup photos to share) while learning from such people as:

• Frances Flynn Thorsen
• Robin Harris
• Raleigh R. Pinskey
• Mike O'Neill
• Shannon Evans
• Richard Geasey
• Lori Ruff
• Mari Lyn-Harris

...and the other attendees who will make their way to the red rocks of Sedona for the weekend event!

One of the cool things about this event is the fact that you don't have to travel to attend:  you can register & be a part of the conference online too.

For more information, check out the website:  Social Media Mastermind Live  See you there - physically or virtually!

Okay - so it's New Year's Day already.  Have you made your New Year's Resolutions yet?  My team in Tucson can help!

To see the available homes for sale in the Tucson Real Estate Market, you can search from your phone or your computer. 

1. Text TKREAL to 87778 to download our free search app for your phone
2. Visit EasyHomeSearch.net on your computer

Simpler than most other resolutions, huh?

My relocation team is ready to help people move to the Tucson Metro Area